The Debswana First Division South and North are made up of teams with contrasting backgrounds. The north is largely made up of rookies who have never made it to the top flight save for three, Motlakase Power Dynamos, Sankoyo Bush Bucks, and BR Highlanders. This means only a quarter or 25% of the teams in the north have Premier League experience. These three have had difficult stays in the elite division, almost starting their seasons as relegation favourites. The other nine are unfashionable sides that have never tasted premier football, which has made this season unpredictable.
The promotion of Nico United and TAFIC in recent seasons has left the First Division North a bit light regarding heavyweights. History has favoured former Premier League sides and it is no surprise that Motlakase, Sankoyo and Highlanders are the leading trio in the promotion race. Only two points separate leaders, Motlakase from second-placed Sankoyo and Highlanders in third. After 16 games, Sankoyo and Highlanders have 26 points and an identical goal difference of six. It all points to a familiar face returning to the Premier League from the First Division North (FDN). The north will carry the lightweight tag compared to their counterparts in the south. Only Motlakase has reached the final of a major tournament, after losing out to Extension Gunners in an enthralling 2011 Coca-Cola Cup championship match. That was the closest amongst the crop of the 12 FDN teams came to winning a major trophy.
